Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Perfect Stamped or Rolling Pin Cookies

I do not excel at cookie decorating. It's time consuming and, normally, I'm not a fan of icing on cookies anyway. Cookie stamps or rollers are the perfect alternative to having a 'cute' cookie but one that doesn't takes a lot of time to decorate! The problem with stamped or pressed cookies is often the design isn't clear because the cookies either spread out or rise too much and the cookie design disappears.

This past month, I received a special surprise from my very long-time and dear friend, Monique of La Table de Nana. It was a beautiful, wooden rolling pin engraving with the name of my blog. You can visit Monique's post here to find out more about the artist and the lovely variety of engraved rolling pins. They are the perfect gift for a friend or family member who enjoys baking!

Monique and I have been cyber friends for many years going WAY back to the GardenWeb
forum (2002?) that is now owned by Houzz and then, at Gardenbuddies. Over the years, we discovered that we
share many of the same interests, which not only included gardening, but also art, painting, cooking and baking. We have also found similarities in our
lives...husbands whose first names start with 'J' who both enjoyed golf. We both have two daughters and we both have three grandsons from one of our daughters, whom we adore.

Monique suggested a recipe to use and very good instructions, however, I failed at my first attempt and asked for a little more help. Monique went above and beyond the call of duty and sent a sample of her dough for consistency and a cookie from Canada just so I could see how it should look and feel! Isn't she amazing?

With her help, I was able to create the perfect stamped cookies! We won't mention the batch I burned because I forgot to set my timer :(

These cookies are so delicious and the perfect accompaniment to a cup of
tea or coffee or just a glass of milk! A little almond flour, a hint of lemon...delicious!

Speaking of garden, I have a few early spring flowers in my Midwest garden! Always a joy to see the first blooms of the season ♥

Place
the brown sugar and butter in the bowl of a a food processor and give
it a few pulses until combined. Add the flour, almond flour, lemon zest
and pinch of salt and pulse until the dough begins to 'come together'.

Pour out the dough onto a work surface and knead until the
dough feels like Play Doh. Wet your hands slightly, if necessary to
bring the dough to this consistency.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Then, place dough on a lightly floured work surface, cover with the plastic wrap and roll into a rectangle.

Dust the surface of the dough with sufficient flour to cover. Spread over the dough with your hands.

Press
or roll dough with cookie stamps or engraved rolling pin. Cut out
shapes with round cutters or use a knife and ruler to make rectangles.

Place on parchment or silicone-lined baking sheet and refrigerate again for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F.

Bake for about 12-18 minutes, depending on your oven. Check early and then often toward the end of baking time. Remove when golden around the edges.

Cool and store for several days if you don't eat them all immediately.

Wow I love this idea of your own monogrammed rolling. I can't wait to visit her site. It's so nice to have a friend like that. She sounds like a real gem. Great friends are hard to find. She sounds like a sweetheart and one worth cherishing. Now to see those rolling pins.

What a thoughtful and beautiful gift! I saw the rolling pins on Monique's beautiful blog and was thinking what a great gift it would be ... and it is! Your cookies look fantastic. I love your posts and your beautiful recipes - and these cookies are perfect. What a wonderful friend indeed. Have a terrific weekend!

They are good aren't they? Your pics are so sharp and clear and beautiful..I did mention to you that I have that wicker small valise to the right?

I had ordered cards from Victoria Magazine in the 80's..they came in that:)

You have been a wonderful friend to me.I can't get over your blooms!!Beautiful..and so it begins..this technicolor time of ours..(mine will come later..;0)..They are even better the next day the cookies.do you find?

Thanks to you ♥ I really do love my rolling pin! I saw many others at Goody Woody that I would love to add to my collection of 1 :) I've been enjoying the cookies for several days now and they are still delicious. Daffodils and scilla soon ♥ A beautiful weekend forecast for us.

Wow ~ I love this! I've wanted to make stamped cookies for the holidays, but never got around to it, and figured it would be impossible to find the right dough...I can't wait to give this a try, right after I find a great stamp! Monique is the best!

Stunning! So excited about these! Have already written the gal and want to order so many! Love them! I am sure they were not easy to cut into individual cookies, though. That can be a consistent issue with the long rectangular cookies that are so pretty. LOVE YOURS! If you have any tips for me when I get mine made, would appreciate hearing from you. Cannot believe I haven't connected with Monique for so long, either... popped her a note already.Hugs,Valerie

Hello, Valerie! Doesn't she have so many pretty styles of pins? Honestly, all I did was use the center pattern on the pin and then cut them with a very long knife using the pattern as my guide. For a different style design a ruler might be necessary. They cut well too :) Thank you!

Sue, boy are you SO lucky! How lovely of her to send you a beautiful and thoughtful gift like that! so jealous! only kidding - lol... LOVE your cookies and your spring flowers are so beautiful! You always inspire me to take photos of ours here in Charleston! Have a great week and Happy Easter!! xo Anna and LIz